10-15-10 Vol. 32 No. 11

www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 32, No. 11 october 15, 2010

The Benedictine way Story By Laurie Ghigliotti Photos courtesy of St. Benedict’s Abbey

Photo courtesy of St. Benedict’s Abbey

Photos like these are sprinkled throughout “Incline the Ear of Your Heart,” a book by Dan Madden, development director of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison. The book, influenced by his work with the Benedictine monks in Atchison, explores the nature of monastic life, the Rule of St. Benedict, and the lessons laypeople can learn from monastic life.

W

hen Dan Madden was growing up, the Catholic Church looked to him a lot like a Benedictine monastery.

“I grew up in northwest Missouri near Conception Abbey, right in the shadow of the abbey,” said Madden. “I thought all priests were Benedictines until I went away to college.”

Now he knows better. As Madden’s vision of the church has broadened, however, his appreciation of the Benedictines has only deepened.

Turn to “Writer” on page 6

2 archbishop

THE LEAVEN • october 15, 2010

THE LEAVEN • october 15, 2010

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

Catholics’ concern for Holy Land is rooted in the historical Jesus

A

s you read this column, I am in the Holy Land leading a pilgrimage of the Equestrian Order of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

is intimately connected to the most fundamental tenets of our Catholic The Knights and Ladies of the Holy faith.

Sepulcher trace their origins to the Why are the Holy Land and its Crusaders, who risked life and fortune Christian community important? to protect, preserve and gain access The answer to that question is to be for Christians to the sites where Jesus found in our belief in the incarnation was conceived, born, lived, preached, of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It is healed, suffered, died, was buried and our belief that the Word became flesh rose from the dead. and dwelt among us. The Holy Land is The order was reconstituted by important to us because it is intimately Pope Pius IX in the 1850s, inviting linked to our belief in the historical individuals to make sacrifices to preJesus. Jesus was not some mythical figserve the Christian ure, the hero of some shrines and help the inspirational piece of ‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ fiction.

Christian community living in the Holy Put in a rather programming notes Land. The mission simple way, preserving Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s of the Order of the the Christian shrines radio program on KEXS 1090 AM Holy Sepulcher has in the Holy Land and airs at 10 a.m. on Sunday and is never been more keeping them acrepeated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday important than cessible to Christian and 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. today, as the Chrispilgrims is important tian community is because we believe in caught in the crossfire of the JewishChristmas. As Christians, we believe Muslim conflict. Christians, who are that the Lord of the universe — the predominantly Arabs, are denied one who designed not only this earth employment opportunities and access but thousands of galaxies — so loved to high quality basic services, such as us that he was conceived by the Holy health care.

Spirit in the womb of Mary. We believe Why is the mission and purpose of he was born as a helpless baby in the the Order of the Holy Sepulcher still simplest of conditions in Bethlehem. important today? The order’s mission We believe that this historical Jesus

grew up in Nazareth under the care of Mary and Joseph. We believe that he performed his first miracle during a wedding feast at Cana in Galilee. We believe that Jesus walked the roads of Galilee teaching from “pulpits” in synagogues, on fishing boats, and on mounts. We believe that he fed the multitudes and healed many who were sick in body and spirit.

We believe that Jesus came to Jerusalem, taught in the temple precincts and drove the money changers out of the temple. We believe that our Lord gathered his apostles for the Passover meal and in the context of his last supper, celebrated the first Eucharist.

We believe that Jesus empowered — ordained — his apostles to do this in memory of him.

We believe that our Lord asked Peter, James and John to watch and pray with him in the Garden of Gethsemane. We believe that he was betrayed by Judas, abandoned by his apostles, brought to trial before the Sanhedrin and Pilate. We believe that Jesus carried the cross on the Via Dolorosa, was crucified on Calvary and placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

We believe in this real, historical person, Jesus Christ, who was born, lived, ministered and died in actual places. We believe that these places were sanctified by the One who was born, lived, walked, taught, suffered and died there. Like those a thousand years ago who risked life and fortune, to whom the Order of the Holy Sepulcher traces its roots, we believe that it is important that these sacred places

Archbishop Naumann’s weekly calendar

Oct. 14-28 Pilgrimage to Rome and the Holy Land with the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher Oct. 30 Gaudeamus dinner benefit for Catholic Education Foundation — Overland Park

Archbishop Keleher’s weekly calendar

Oct. 21 Teach class at Mundelein Seminary Oct. 29-Nov. 1 Bishops’ prayer group — Florida be preserved and remain available for pilgrimage for Christians to visit, to pray at and to have their faith deepened and renewed.

Please keep me and the 42 other pilgrims in your prayers. We will be in the Holy Land until Oct. 25. From the Holy Land, we will fly to Rome, spending a couple days of pilgrimage in the Eternal City before returning home on Oct. 28. Pray for the safety of all the pilgrims, but even more, pray for a deepening of our faith in Jesus, the Son of God, as we visit the actual places where he spent his 33 years on this earth.

This year’s ‘Angels’ have returned to the flock

By Jill Ragar Esfeld Special to The Leaven

SHAWNEE — Sacred Heart parishioners Ernie and Susan Straub are in a unique position to treasure their Catholic faith — having lost it once, then found it again.

In fact, since their return to the church, their contributions to Catholic schools have grown so varied and significant that they will be honored with the “Angels Among Us” award at the 8th annual Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) dinner. But it wasn’t always that way.

Starting out “I was born Catholic,” explained Ernie. “My wife converted in 1982, and we immediately started having a family.”

The Straubs’ faith practice at the time consisted of a dutiful visit to church each Sunday — nothing more. When it came time for the oldest of their six children, Paul, to start school, they weren’t sure they wanted a Catholic education for him.

“About that time, Susan got involved with an evangelical, charismatic, prayer group of ladies,” said Ernie.

This led to an interest in Protestantism. Eventually, the couple left the Catholic Church, explored other faith congregations, and enrolled their children in a Protestant school.

Though they were pleased with the school and met many good Christian families, the Straubs never felt quite at home in their new surroundings.

“You know, it was OK,” said Ernie, “but we always felt there was something missing.”

About-face

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In 1995, when the couple went on a business trip together, Susan met the wife of a business associate. In the course of their conversation, Susan shared the fact that her family had left the Catholic Church.

The woman told Susan she would like to send her a book.

Little did Susan know what an impact that book would have on her family.

“So after we got back, I got a book in the mail, entitled ‘Rome Sweet Home’ by Scott Hahn,” said Susan.

Hahn, now a professor of theology and Scripture at Franciscan University in Steubenville, was at one time a Presbyterian minister. The book tells the story of his family’s conversion to Catholicism.

After she read Hahn’s book, Susan knew she had to share it with her husband. She also knew it was time for her family to make an about-face.

“It talked about the holy Eucharist, and the truth just hit me in the face,” she said. “I told Ernie, ‘I don’t understand this, but we have to go back!’”

At the time, the oldest of their six children was 12. They knew the journey back to Catholicism would have be a family affair, and they knew it wouldn’t be easy.

“A lot of prayer took place,” said Su-

Leaven photo by Lori Wood Habiger

Our Lady of Unity second-grader Roberto Ramirez answers a question from his teacher as Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Ernie and Susan Straub look on during a recent tour of the school. The Straubs are this year’s Catholic Education Foundation “Angels Among Us” recipients and Our Lady of Unity School in Kansas City, Kan., is this year’s CEF School of Excellence. san. “They were old enough; it had to become their faith.”

The Straubs could probably write their own book about the process. Their children, now ranging in age from 26 down to 13, have all become faithful Catholics — thanks in part to the faith formation in their Catholic schools.

“God’s worked in all our kids,” said Ernie. “And Susan and I have worked at our faith to better understand it, so we could be better witnesses to our kids and our friends.”

On the job The strong Christian values that guide this family are evident in the running of Straub Construction, too.

‘Times have been tough for the last 18-20 months for our economic world,” said Michael Morrisey, executive director of the CEF. “And when all that started, the Straubs made the conscious decision that they were going to figure out a way to not lay off any of their people.”

What they did, said Ernie, was “put people before profits.

“And when you do the right thing, God takes care of everybody.”

Straub Construction employees accepted salary reductions to help the company weather the economic downturn and worked hard to increase business. Ernie has since been able resume paying his employees their original salaries — and even make up the difference they’d sacrificed during the period of reduction.

Ernie attributes his company’s success to his outstanding employees.

“I’ve just got the best people working for me,” he said. “I’ve been able to hire really quality people and that just permeates throughout the company.”

The Straubs believe, above all, that good character is a reflection of good education and faith formation. That’s why

they’re committed to giving every child access to a Catholic education, regardless of their family income.

“It’s just so important for all kids, but especially the vulnerable kids at the urban core,” said Ernie. “Our society suffers today because we don’t have strong academics and faith.”

Sowing success That conviction was validated recently when the Straubs visited Our Lady of Unity School in Kansas City, Kan., whose students receive CEF scholarships.

“I’m telling you, those kids, when they can read and write and have strong moral convictions, they’re going to be just as successful as any kid that grew up in any suburb,” said Ernie.

“Along with learning our faith, learning the sanctity of marriage,” his wife added. “So these young people coming up will work hard to keep their marriages intact. That’s what really makes a strong society.”

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, who also visited the elementary school, said it’s essential that Catholic schools not become elitist institutions, accessible only to those with wealth.

“The best gift we can give our young people is [the chance] to know Jesus and to love his church,” he said. “No child should be deprived of the opportunity for a Catholic education because of finances.

“Catholic schools give the best opportunity for children, no matter the families’ economic status, to succeed in life.”

Ernie and Susan understand that CEF is sometimes key to making Catholic education available to every child. CEF scholarships help support schools in urban and rural areas where Catholic education might otherwise be inaccessible.

“I don’t want to leave this earth think-

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com

President Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Reporter Kara Hansen kara@theleaven.com

Gaudeamus: Let us rejoice!

The Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) will honor the Straub family at the organization’s eighth annual Gaudeamus dinner on Oct. 30 at the Overland Park Convention Center.

More than 1,000 guests are expected at this fundraiser for scholarships for children in need.

CEF also will present a special Catholic Education Community Service Award to the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and the Ursuline Sisters of Paola.

“The reason we’re honoring them is, if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have many of the Catholic schools in the archdiocese that we have today,” said CEF executive director Michael Morrisey. “Their contributions in the classrooms and away from the classrooms — we can’t measure it because it is so great.”

The Catholic Education Foundation provides scholarships for needy families in northeast Kansas, so they may attend Catholic schools sponsored by the foundation. Over the last 11 years, CEF has provided more than $9.3 million in scholarships and financial assistance.

Tickets for the Gaudeamus dinner are available by contacting Patty Morrisey at (913) 6470344 or by e-mail at: pmorrisey@archkck.org.

To learn more about CEF or this year’s Gaudeamus dinner, visit the Web site at: www. cefks.org.

ing ‘Why didn’t I do more?’” said Ernie.

So now, in addition to their financial support and the school-building efforts of their construction company, the couple hopes to help raise funds for CEF in their role as this year’s “Angels Among Us” honorees.

“We’re extremely excited about the event and the opportunity to raise funds for CEF,” said Ernie. “We hope that God plays a part in everybody’s heart to really support CEF.” “We are honored,” agreed Susan.

“But we are a small piece of the puzzle.”

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 7211570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com.

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4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • october 15, 2010

THE LEAVEN • October 15, 2010

New director’s campus ministry team serves diverse student body

By Joe Bollig

Leaven staff

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Running a campus ministry with “legs” sometimes means literally walking the sidewalk. Here, Abbot Owen Purcell, OSB, and Sister Julie Marsh, PBVM, talk with students Kyle Petesch, an English and political science major from Lansing; Jenna Schwinn, an English major from Luray, Colo.; and Kaitlin Peterson, a political science major from Hays. Sister Julie is the new director of campus ministry. Abbot Owen and Father Bill McEvoy, pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing, work with her. with a member of the campus team any time of the day or night.

“Although I’m a full-time pastor . . . the students know that I am easily available if they need to talk,” said Father McEvoy. “I have an office, which makes it convenient to meet. I also hope my homilies might spark in folks an idea or a seed to contemplate.”

Sister Julie and her team have also gotten to know the students according to their interests.

“At the beginning of this year, I had sign-up cards for freshmen and those who come to our services,” said Sister Julie. “These are things they can get involved in — everything from liturgical ministries, to events, to service trips to places like New Orleans and Kentucky.”

Both Father McEvoy and Abbot Owen celebrate Masses on campus. Abbot Owen celebrates four Masses a week, and Father McEvoy offers two. Additionally, Abbot Owen is chaplain of the university’s men’s basketball team, the Spires. “[The players and coaches] drop in to see me all the time,” said Abbot Owen.

“I lead them in prayer in the locker room before each game. We have a wonderful relationship. It’s especially bearing fruit this year. I know the guys by their first name.”

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By Joe Bollig

Leaven staff

LEAVENWORTH — Campus ministry at the University of Saint Mary here is about the feet.

In other words, faith isn’t faith unless it’s taking you somewhere.

“Basically, what campus ministry tries to do is put feet on the theologies, the philosophies, and the understanding of what it means to be Catholic and Christian in the world today,” said Sister Julie Marsh, of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Sister Julie began work as director of campus ministry at the university on Aug. 15. Previously, she was director of formation for her religious community and had also served as campus minister at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls from 2000 to 2005.

“I see my role, as director, as providing opportunities for students to grow spiritually,” she said, “to give them a wide variety of experiences and ways to pray, to get to know God, and to put some of the theology they learn in class into practice through service.”

Looking to the spiritual needs of the university’s diverse student body is a big job. Sister Julie serves about 600 undergraduate and more than 100 postgraduate students, of whom about 340 live on campus in residence halls. The university, sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, was founded in 1859.

Fortunately, she doesn’t have to do it alone. Her three-person ministry also includes Abbot Owen Purcell, OSB, assistant campus minister, and chaplain Father Bill McEvoy, who is also pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing.

“We try to incarnate the abstract” is how Abbot Owen explains the ministry.

“What they learn in the classroom, we try to give them a way of articulating that into concrete form,” he said.

Although Sister Julie is a seasoned veteran of campus ministry, in some ways she arrived at the university like the average freshman: She had a steep learning curve.

A big part of that curve has been getting to know the students. Sister Julie, Abbot Owen and Father McEvoy do this in a variety of ways.

“My door is open,” said Sister Julie.

“Between Abbot Owen and occasionally Father Bill, the office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 11 at night. Students can stop in and build trust and rapport with each other.”

“We have discussions about what they are learning in the classrooms, and sometimes what’s happening in their daily life in their dorm or on their team,” she continued. “[Sometimes the discussions are about] how to understand and live the things they’re learning; how to act — and not react; how to explore things bigger than themselves and not be fearful of making mistakes; dreaming of who we can become in light of who we are.”

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Putting “feet” on what the students learn in class sometimes takes them out of the area as well. This school year, the January mission trip will be to New Orleans, where students will help rebuild the city, and then to Kentucky in the spring to work with the Christian Appalachian Project.

“We’re trying to get our feet involved in local service [in Leavenworth and Lansing], too,” said Sister Julie. “We’re looking at the Adopt-A-Family [program] and do some environmental cleanup. We’re looking at some of the nonprofits in the area, too. We have some interest in prison ministry.”

Sometimes campus ministry intersects with parish life. Two students work in youth ministry at St. Francis de Sales Parish and a few are in the parish’s RCIA program, said Father McEvoy.

But students don’t even have to leave campus to enjoy a wide range of activities. There’s Bible study and prayer groups in the dorms, busy-persons retreats, spiritual direction, the Little Spire program (in which students mentor youngsters), and help for those with addictions. An important part of making these activities and ministries work is the student-run Christian Life Council, which meets once a month.

One of the challenges of campus ministry is diversity, said Sister Julie.

Although the university is Catholicfounded and sponsored, perhaps only one-third of the students are Catholic.

“This is a real challenge for me,” said Sister Julie. “At the University of Northern Iowa Catholic Student Center, most of the people who went there were Catholic. Here, I believe we have to cater to the needs of the whole student body.”

Recently, the campus had a nonCatholic, student-led prayer service.

“It was very simple, and the students really take charge of all that,” said Sister Julie.

One thing the campus ministry team has noticed is that a lot of the students are eager to get involved and have wideranging interests. That is very encouraging, said Sister Julie. In addition to building stable programs, she would like the students to become stronger leaders.

“I believe that part of your college education is academics, but another part is leadership training,” she said.

“Leadership — being able to stand in front of a group and lead something that you’re passionate about [is important],” she continued. “I really feel students are trying to get ahold of how to do that. I want to give them the tools and skills to be leaders.”

Kansas City, Kan. — It’s hard for Rose Hammes to pick a favorite story from her Catholic newspaper career, but a top contender has to be the one about the pig.

“One of my favorite things we did every year while I worked in the Diocese of La Crosse [Wisconsin] was on the feast of St. Isidore, on Rural Life Day,” said Hammes. “People would bring their farm animals to be blessed.”

“I remember it rained quite a bit that spring,” she said. “A farmer set up a little pen and put his pig in it. In the course of the hour and fifteen minutes it took for Mass, the pig destroyed the front yard of the church. The look on the pastor’s face when he came out and saw his yard all dug up — things like that I remember. Only in Wisconsin!”

Hammes has come a long way from her reporting days as a Catholic journalist. On Sept. 27, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann appointed her the new archdiocesan director of communications and planning. She replaced Carroll Macke, who retired in June.

“While many applicants had great experience in business or media, Rose had the comparable experience of actually working for other dioceses,” said Father Gary Pennings, vicar general.

“She had demonstrated in other places the ability to do precisely the kinds of things that she would be asked to do here.”

As director, Hammes manages the archdiocese’s official communications.

She serves as the public information official for the archdiocese and provides public relations services for parishes.

Additionally, she will coordinate regional and diocesan pastoral planning and help parishes implement their pastoral plans.

Hammes was born and raised in Onalaska, Wis., only one house away from the church. Her devout family was involved in many parish activities and she spent most of her school career in Catholic schools.

“The only year of my entire life I didn’t go to Catholic school was kindergarten, and that was because they didn’t offer it,” she said.

Hammes graduated in 1985, with a bachelor’s in business administration and a minor in English, from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis. She was hired as an advertising salesperson for the Times-Review (now the Catholic Times of the Diocese of La Crosse) the day after she graduated.

“Slowly but surely, they realized I had some writing skills, so the next thing I knew I was writing for the newspaper,” she said. “I really enjoyed that.

I enjoyed going out and meeting the people and writing the stories.”

That all changed when Bishop Raymond Burke became the ordinary of the Diocese of La Crosse in 1994. The diocese didn’t have a communications

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Rose Hammes is the new archdiocesan director of communications and planning. She will manage the archdiocese’s official communications, serve as the public information official for the archdiocese and provide public relations services for parishes. director at the time, so the bishop asked her to step up to the plate. Soon, she was facing some pretty fast pitches.

“Working for Bishop Burke was an education, because he, like so many of our bishops now, really stood up on issues that for a time the church wasn’t being vocal about,” she said.

“He took the lead in that, which meant we had to deal with a lot of reporters, and a lot of people who call themselves Catholic, even though they don’t agree with church teaching,” she continued. “That’s when I really learned to deal with people and their faith . . . and understanding them.”

In 2004, Hammes was “enticed” to cross the Mississippi River and become communications director in the Diocese of Winona, Minnesota. She worked under Bishop Bernard Harrington and his successor, Bishop John Quinn.

Spending time on both sides of the notebook — as reporter and official spokesperson — taught her a lot about the news and people.

“From both sides of the notebook, my goal has always been to put the Catholic Church in a good light,” she said. “Reporters for the Catholic press are not investigative reporters. They are there to tell the good news. And I don’t think that’s any different when you’re the communications director talking to reporters. You want to tell the good stories.”

And there are plenty of good news

stories out there in our parishes. Often, however, they don’t make it into print, onto the airwaves, or out through the new mediums of social communications.

Part of the reason of “what” ends up in the media is because of “why.”

“For probably the past 20 years, the media in general has become so profitdriven that they had to lead with the stories of scandal, because that’s what people wanted to hear. And that’s a sad commentary on our society,” she said.

“But I think in the past four or five years, as the Internet and social media have become more prevalent in people’s lives, people have been looking for support,” she continued. “People are looking for connection to each other, and you don’t find that in the bad news.

I’m hoping that, as people use more and more alternate sources of media, the mainstream [will realize] . . . maybe we should do more uplifting stories.”

One way to promote more stories like that is to work on relationships with media outlets. There are people out there in the media who do have an agenda against the Catholic Church, she said, but ignorance is more common. The problem is often that people’s disagreements with the church are based on mistaken assumptions.

And she’s not just referring to the big news outlets like The Kansas City Star or the Topeka Capital-Journal.

“Working with those little weeklies

and rural radio stations — that’s the challenge to getting the word out to those folks about things that are going on at the diocesan level,” she said. “No matter where you are, the relationship with the media is pretty much the same.

It’s just finding the right connections to talk to the right people.”

And when the news is genuinely bad? The best policy in dealing with it is honesty, she said.

“The days of trying to cover up anything bad that happens in the church are gone,” she said. “I have never agreed with that. I think the church should be transparent to the point that no one’s reputation is being harmed. But if there is bad news, we have to tell it and tell it honestly.”

Another big part of her job will be pastoral planning. This is the continuing challenge parishes face as they are confronted with changes in demographics, the number of priests available for assignments, and resources.

“The regions of the archdiocese have gone through their research, done their studies, and now have to carry out the recommendations they said they would do,” she said.

Hammes is looking forward to all the challenges of her office, but is especially looking forward to doing something she did at the beginning of her career in the Catholic press — getting to know the good news of the good people of the archdiocese.

6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • october 15, 2010

THE LEAVEN • october 15, 2010

Writer explores the application of Benedict’s Rule to lay life Continued from page 1 Madden is editor of Kansas Monks magazine, published by the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison. He has translated his deepening appreciation into a new book, entitled “Incline the Ear of Your Heart: Listening to Saint Benedict’s Message of Peace.”

Sometimes, even when one is living in the shadow of an abbey — or perhaps especially then — it’s easy to overlook the tremendous impact the Benedictines have had on the larger church, on their local communities, or even on one’s self.

In his book, Madden explores the nature of monastic life, the Rule of St. Benedict, and the lessons laypeople can learn from Benedictine monastic life.

First, believes Madden, Benedictines do a lot of good work in the community.

But often, it’s a unique kind of work.

“The most important thing they do is lift the world in prayer,” Madden said.

“They’re very committed to this.”

Using his own poems and prayerful commentary — accompanied by the images of J.D. Benning, Abbot Barnabas Senecal and others — Madden shares with readers the rhythms of this work as an act of gratitude.

“The monks have done a lot for me over the years,” Madden said. “This was something to give back, a labor of love.”

Benning, art director for Kansas Monks, is the one who suggested the idea of a book to Madden, who had written a series of articles for the magazine, entitled “Why We Need Benedictines?” The articles, which focused on the vows of the monks, won a Catholic Press Association award for best feature in a religious order magazine.

Both men are happy with the way the book turned out.

“You can open the book to any page and come away with something from it,” Benning said.

Madden said that the reader can pick

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Dan Madden grew up near Conception Abbey in northwest Missouri. He later worked in Conception’s development office and currently heads up the development office at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison.

Madden uses this photo of Abbot Barnabas Senecal and a young Catholic venerating the cross on Good Friday to illustrate how monastic and everyday life intersect. up the book again and again and find something new each time.

“I hope [readers] will understand what the Benedictine life is about,” Madden said. “You don’t have to be a Benedictine to gain something.”

The book, said Abbot Barnabas Senecal, not only features beautiful images of monastic life, but is unique in that it is written from a young layman’s perspective.

“It’s like a human digest,” Abbot Barnabas said. “The book is about the monastic community, and the monastic community is like family.”

Much thought was put into every aspect of the book, but especially the title.

“We chose the title because listening

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is important for the Rule [of St. Benedict] and humility is also important.

Humility is the building block of Bene-

dictine life,” Madden said. “If you want to understand, you have to stop and pay attention. That’s what J.D. did. He stopped and paid attention to the natural beauty, the artistic beauty, and the beauty of the people here [at the abbey].”

“With the book, people can stop and pay attention without even coming here,” Madden added. “It’s hard in this world to stop and pay attention.”

As he noted in his book: “It’s no coincidence that the first word in the Rule of Benedict is ‘Listen.’”

The Rule of St. Benedict provides hope for everyone.

“St. Benedict took a harsh way of life and made it more gentle,” said Madden.

“Each day is another day, another chance to get it right. [The lessons of] monastic life are a comfort for backsliders,” he added. “If we screw up, we can start over again.

“The Benedictine life is to be treasured, and there is much to be gained from friendship with Benedictines. But even if you don’t go near a monastery for a long period of time . . . or ever, it is good to know that the monks or the Sisters who live there are going about their lives, gathering to lift the rest of us to God in prayer each day.”

Andrew Brown, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 201 and a parishioner of Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe, recently obtained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Brown’s Eagle project was a food drive benefiting Catholic Charities.

Eagle scout He collected over 1,500 pounds of food and $2,000 in cash.

Pancake breakfast to benefit Sisters, Servants of Mary Kansas City, Kan. — A pancake breakfast to benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary is scheduled Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in St. Patrick Parish hall, 94th and State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The Sisters, Servants are a religious community that provides in-home nursing care for persons who are dying or terminally ill. They provide these services free of charge.

Tickets are $6 for adults; $4 for children under 10 years old. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling (913) 371-3423.

Mary Health of the Sick Guild members will also host a bake sale and variety booth to benefit the charitable work of the Sisters, Servants. In addition to the baked goods provided by the guild, there will be apple strudels for sale.

Richard and Marjorie (Jean) Holzmeister, members of Corpus Christi Parish, Lawrence, celebrated their 50th wedding Anniversaries anniversary on Oct. 8. The couple was married at Assumption Church in Topeka on Oct. 8, 1960. They celebrated their anniversary with a weeklong vacation to Breckenridge, Colo., with their children and grandchildren. Their children and their spouses are: Jeff and LeaAnn Holzmeister, Tempe, Ariz.; Scott and Debbie Holzmeister, Charlotte, N.C.; Jon and Michelle Holzmeister, Overland Park; and Jill and Steve Patton, Lawrence. They also have 15 grandchildren.

Ray and Judy (Lorenz) Dercher, members of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 15. The couple was married at St. Peter Cathedral in Kansas City, Kan. Their children and their spouses are: David and Nancy Dercher; Deanna and Doug Gish; and Jeanine and David Conrady. They also have 10 grandchildren. For their anniversary, they enjoyed a trip to Charleston, S.C., and will be visiting Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, with family. A party in their honor will be given by their children on Oct. 17.

A Day of Boundless Joy “…act justly, love tenderly walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 Sister Anne Bryan Smollin, CSJ, Ph.D. — “Live, Laugh and be Blessed” “Tickle Your Soul” Msgr. Thomas Tank — “Scriptural Reflection” Susan Carroll — “Prayer Reflection” Vickie Broxterman — “OK God…Now It’s Personal!!!”

Saturday, October 23, 2010 Savior Pastoral Center 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Cost: $40.00 (18 and under $20.00) For more Information or to receive a brochure — Call: Family Life Office—913-647-0345 or e-mail: flifesec@archkck.org — website: www.archkck.org

Renee and L. J. Miller, members of St. Joseph Parish, Lillis, will celebrate their 60th Wedding anniversary on Oct. 28.

The couple was married at St. Joseph Church, Lillis.

Their children and their spouses are: Dan and Elizabeth Miller; Jan Miller; Dennis and Marge Miller; Steve Miller (deceased); and Mary and Steve Johnson. A Mass at Annunciation Church, Frankfort, and a family dinner are planned for the anniversary.

Ben and Beverly (Cohorst) Schreiner, members of St. Aloysius Parish, Meriden, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in November at St. Aloysius Church with a reception hosted by their children and their spouses: Curt and Cheryl Stauffer; Scott and Jill Schreiner; Stacy Schreiner; and Matt and Tracy Laird. The couple was married on Oct. 15, 1960, at St. Matthew Church in Topeka. They also have nine grandchildren.

The Leaven only prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices. Announcements are due by 5 p.m. eight days (Thursday) before the desired publication date. Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an e-mail to: Todd@theleaven.com.

LOCAL NEWS 7 Take time to re-energize with ‘Living in Full Swing’ Leavenworth — Marillac Center here is offering an energizing program to help persons maximize their mind/ body/spirit performance with purposeful risk taking.

“Living in Full Swing” is scheduled for Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the center at 4200 S. 4th St. Cathy Newton, author of the book after which the program is named, will be a co-presenter, along with Sister Noreen Walters, SCL. The registration fee is $50 and includes lunch and Newton’s book. The registration deadline is Nov. 1. To register, call (913) 758-6552; send an e-mail to: retreats@scls.org; or visit the Web site at: www.MarillacCenter.org.

Cross honoring Sisters, Servants to be blessed KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will preside at a special ceremony on Nov. 2 at 4:30 p.m. to bless and dedicate the cross in a section of Mount Calvary Cemetery here, newly designated for the Sisters, Servants of Mary.

The 8-foot granite cross is located in the section of the cemetery recently donated to the Sisters by Catholic Cemeteries. It is identical to the cross in another section of the cemetery donated to the Sisters, Servants in 1936.

For more information about the dedication ceremony, call (913) 3714040 or send an e-mail to: catholic cemeterieskc.org.

Pope’s Mission Sunday Message

Local mission news

New director named to head mission society

Northeast India

By Joe Bollig

F

Leaven staff

or many struggling priests, religious and bishops in mission areas, the support they get from the Pontifical Mission Society is literally God-sent. Without it, they simply couldn’t carry on their ministries.

For nearly four decades, the annual collection for the mission society was publicized and administered by Father Norbert Lickteig, who died on Jan. 7.

Now, Father Ric Halvorson, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Paola, is tasked with filling some pretty big shoes as the new director of the archdiocesan branch of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Since being appointed to the post by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann last spring, he has worked hard to build on the archdiocese’s history of strong support for the missions.

The Leaven: You follow in the footsteps of Father Norbert Lickteig, who worked tirelessly to promote support for the missions. What is it like to be his successor?

Father Halvorson: Father Norbert held that position for 37 years. He had a real love for the missions, and that was evident going through his papers in his desk. I found a sheet of paper that listed all the [archdiocesan] directors of the Pontifical Mission Society back to 1904.

Father Lickteig was only the fourth director. He had himself marked down for 40 years — he saw himself in office for two more years, but the Lord had other plans.

The Leaven: What is the Pontifical Mission Society?

Father Halvorson: The Pontifical Mission Society is an umbrella organization under which there are four different societies. They are: the Propagation of the Faith; the Holy Childhood Association; the Society of St. Peter the Apostle; and the mission co-op, which most people are probably familiar with.

The latter is for the visiting missionar-

2009 WORLD MISSION SUNDAY: $77,265 ATCHISON Region Sacred Heart, Atchison St. Benedict’s, Atchison St. Joseph, Atchison St. Patrick, Atchison St. Benedict, Bendena St. Ann, Effingham St. Louis, Good Intent St. Ann, Hiawatha St. Leo, Horton Corpus Christi, Mooney Creek St. Joseph, Nortonville St. Mary, Purcell St. Charles, Troy

This woman is part of a faith community of 200 families in northeast India. Missionaries revealed the Lord’s presence to this local tribe years ago — and they embraced their message, even building a small, humble chapel. It is their church, says one local priest. This woman and her friends come daily to clean up the church — and to visit with the Lord, finding hope in the message of God’s great love.

Your gift on World Mission Sunday supports and sustains small parish communities throughout the missions, where the poor find hope in the good news of Jesus.

Jakarta, Indonesia Father Ric Halverson holds a baby at an orphanage run by the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta in this 2001 file photo, taken when he was a seminarian. ies in the summer months to [inform] people about the missions and to raise money for the missions.

World Mission Sunday [Oct. 24] falls under the Propagation of the Faith. It is a collection taken up every October.

The mission co-op raises money for individual missions, but the collection for the Propagation of the Faith . . . goes to mission dioceses throughout the world.

I get a plethora of mail [from the missions]. The stories from these mission dioceses — what they’re doing and who they reach, and the level of poverty and need — is very eye-opening. It makes me feel blessed with what I’ve got and that I ought to appreciate it and be a better steward. [The letters] help me to think of some of the excess in my life I can do without.

The Leaven: Is it difficult to raise awareness of and support for the missions?

Father Halvorson: I went to the annual Pontifical Mission Society meeting last April in Chicago. One of the things we talked about is that my generation is the last with a real idea or concept of the mission church. We have a couple of generations that don’t know what the missions are or do. One of our tasks is to raise awareness of the missions, the importance of the missions, and the importance of knowing what it means to be part of the larger church. . . . We’re

Immaculate Conception, Valley Falls St. Joseph, Wathena TOTAL

$101 $614 $90 $30 $175 $186 $164 $346 $157 $116 $270 $35 $92

The whole church, ‘by her very nature,’ is missionary

In the Missions

JOHNSON COUNTY region Queen of the Holy Rosary, Bucyrus Sacred Heart, Gardner Curé of Ars, Leawood Nativity, Leawood St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood Holy Trinity, Lenexa St. Pius X, Mission Prince of Peace, Olathe St. Paul, Olathe Ascension, Overland Park Holy Cross, Overland Park Holy Spirit, Overland Park Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park

$100 $238 $2,714 $492 $370 $1,587 $3,939 $4,821 $1,057 $508 $3,185 $1,168 $3,675 $1,137 $1,061 $1,686

a global church. When the archbishop asked me to become director, one of the things he wanted me to do is raise awareness of the missions.

The Leaven: Did you have an opportunity to visit the missions?

Father Halvorson: While attending Mundelein Seminary [near Chicago], I had an opportunity to go to India in 2001 with Catholic Relief Services. I took part in the program called Global Fellows. CRS takes seminarians to developing countries where they’re working so [the seminarians] can see what they’re doing, and — God willing — as a priest be able to witness to the work of CRS. . . . I went to an orphanage in Calcutta, a home for the destitute and dying, and in New Delhi we went to a leper colony founded by Mother Teresa, but now run by the Christian Brothers.

[My group] visited several other leper colonies, orphanages and schools.

What’s the measure of God’s love in your life? For the poor of the missions, it’s found not in any material possession or personal achievement. They feel loved because God gave them — as he gave us — his only Son, Jesus.

As they receive the body and blood of our Lord, the poor feel blessed — and rich beyond all measure. On World Mission Sunday, our brothers and sisters in the missions, like us, will gather around the table of the Lord to offer their prayers and sacrifices so that the world may come to know the good news of God’s great love.

Papua New Guinea

Every year, something special happens on the next-tolast Sunday of October — the world unites. On World Mission Sunday, Catholics of the world unite at Mass to recommit themselves to our vocation, through baptism, to be missionaries. There are gifts to bring to this celebration.

Above all, there is prayer. Financial help is also needed to support the life-giving presence of the church among the suffering and poor in more than 1,150 mission dioceses throughout Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and remote regions of Latin America.

The Leaven: What are yours hopes for the annual collection?

Father Halvorson: The people of the archdiocese have been very generous [in the past]. It’s very much a part of the tradition of our church to reach out to all who are poor, be they in our backyard or throughout the world.

We are to be to them the presence of Christ.

St. Ann, Prairie Village St. Agnes, Roeland Park Good Shepherd, Shawnee Sacred Heart, Shawnnee St. Joseph, Shawnee TOTAL

$1,545 $1,108 $696 $2,858 $902 $31,795

LAWRENCE region Annunciation, Baldwin Assumption, Edgerton Holy Family, Eudora Corpus Christi, Lawrence St. John the Evangelist, Lawrence Sacred Heart, Tonganoxie TOTAL

$203 $35 $492 $1,418 $952 $238 $3,338

LEAVENWORTH region Holy Angels, Basehor

$694

St. Joseph-St. Lawrence, Easton St. Francis de Sales, Lansing Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph, Leavenworth Sacred Heart-St. Casmir, Leavenworth TOTAL, $5,641 NEMAHA-MARSHALL region St. Michael, Axtell Sacred Heart, Baileyville St. Malachy, Beattie St. Columbkille, Blaine St. Monica-St. Elizabeth, Blue Rapids St. Patrick, Corning St. Augustine, Fidelity Annunciation, Frankfort St. Bede, Kelly St. Joseph, Lillis

$282 $679 $3,018 $968

$355 $599 $594 $25 $40 $201 $108 $183 $139 $130

St. Gregory, Marysville St. Vincent de Paul, Onaga Sacred Heart, Sabetha St. Mary, St. Benedict Sts. Peter & Paul, Seneca Holy Family, Summerfield St. James. Wetmore TOTAL SOUTHERN region St. Francis Xavier, Burlington St. Patrick, Emerald Sacred Heart, Emporia St. Catherine, Emporia Didde Campus Center, Emporia University Holy Angels, Garnett St. John the Baptist, Greeley St. Mary, Hartford

$670 $30 $922 $659 $1,218 $55 $132 $6,060 $217 $50 $632 $124 $147 $476 $54 $101

Our Lady of Lourdes, LaCygne Immaculate Conception, Louisburg Sacred Heart, Mound City St. Joseph, Olpe St. Philip Neri, Osawatomie Sarced Heart, Ottawa Holy Trinity, Paola St. Therese, Richmond St. Boniface, Scipio St. Joseph, Waverly St. Teresa, Westphalia TOTAL TOPEKA region Holy Family, Alma St. Joseph, Flush St. Dominic, Holton St. Francis of Assisi, Lapeer

D

ear Brothers and Sisters, The month of October, with the celebration of World Mission Sunday, offers to diocesan and parish communities, institutes of consecrated life, ecclesial movements and the entire People of God an opportunity to renew the commitment to proclaim the Gospel and to give pastoral activities greater missionary perspective.

This annual event invites us to live intensely the liturgical and catechetical, charitable and cultural processes through which Jesus Christ summons us to the banquet of his word and of the Eucharist, to taste the gift of his presence, to be formed at his school and to live ever more closely united to him, our teacher and Lord.

“We wish to see Jesus” (Jn 12: 21) is the request in John’s Gospel that some Greeks, who had arrived in Jerusalem for the paschal pilgrimage, address to the Apostle Philip. It also resonates in our hearts during this month of October which reminds us that the commitment to, and task of, Gospel proclamation is a duty of the whole church, by her very nature missionary (“Ad gentes,” no. 2), and invites us to become champions of the newness of life made up of authentic relationships in communities founded on the Gospel. In a multiethnic society that is experiencing increasingly disturbing forms of loneliness and indifference, Christians must learn to offer signs of hope and to become universal brethren, cultivating the great ideals that transform history and, without false illusions or useless fears, must strive to make the planet a home for all peoples.

Like the Greek pilgrims of two thousand years ago, the people of our time too, even perhaps unbeknown to them, ask believers not only to speak of Jesus, but to make Jesus seen, to make the face of the redeemer shine out in every corner of the earth before the generations of the new millennium and especially before the young people of every continent, the privileged ones to whom the Gospel proclamation is intended. They must perceive that Christians bring Christ’s word because he is the truth, because they have found in him the meaning and the truth for their own lives.

These considerations refer to t h e

$200 $360 $50 $481 $345 $124 $658 $185 $413 $50 $137 $4,804 $64 $156 $142 $25

St. Francis Xavier, Mayetta St. Aloysius, Meriden St. Patrick, Osage City Sacred Heart, Paxico St. Theresa, Perry St. Stanislaus, Rossville St. Patrick, Scranton Immaculate Conception, St. Marys Christ the King, Topeka Mater Dei, Topeka Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Topeka Our Lady of Guadalupe, Topeka Sacred Heart-St. Joseph, Topeka St. Matthew, Topeka St. Bernard, Wamego TOTAL

missionary mandate that all the baptized and the entire church have received but that cannot be fulfilled without a profound personal, community and pastoral conversion. In fact, awareness of the call to proclaim the Gospel not only encourages every individual member of the faithful but also all diocesan and parish communities to integral renewal and ever greater openness to missionary cooperation among the churches, to promote the proclamation of the Gospel in the heart of every person, of every people, culture, race and nationality in every place.

Dear friends, on this World Mission Sunday in which the heart’s gaze extends to the immense spaces of mission, let us all be protagonists of the church’s commitment to proclaim the Gospel.

The missionary impulse has always been a sign of vitality for our churches (cf. “Redemptoris missio,” no. 2), with their cooperation and their unique witness of unity, brotherhood and solidarity that gives credibility to heralds of the Love that saves!

I therefore renew to everyone the invitation to pray and, despite financial difficulties, to offer fraternal and concrete help to support the young churches. This act of love and sharing, which the precious service of the Pontifical Missionary Societies to which I express my gratitude will see to allocating, will support the formation of priests, seminarians and catechists in the most distant mission lands and will encourage the young ecclesial communities.

Pope Benedict XVI

Excerpted from the pope’s 2010 World Mission Sunday statement

$100 $165 $114 $135 $125 $50 $25 $885 $4,011 $1,065 $1,101 $869 $1,900 $1,361 $644 $219 $13,156

WYANDOTTE COUNTY region Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kan. All Saints, Kansas City, Kan. Blessed Sacrament, Kansas City, Kan. Christ the King, Kansas City, Kan. Holy Family, Kansas City, Kan. Holy Name, Kansas City, Kan. Our Lady and St. Rose, Kansas City, Kan. Our Lady of Unity, Kansas City, Kan. St. John the Baptist, Kansas City, Kan. St. Mary-St. Anthony, Kansas City, Kan. St. Patrick, Kansas City, Kan. Sisters, Servants of Mary, Kansas City, Kan. Latin Community, Kansas City, Kan. Office TOTAL

$378 $336 $536 $430 $520 $296 $110 $368 $400 $443 $1,048 $500 $156 $4,236 $9,757

TOTAL for ARCHDIOCESE

$77,265

10 nation

THE LEAVEN • october 15, 2010

Caregivers of oil spill victims need attention, too CONVENT, La. (CNS) — The haunting lyrics of the spiritual made famous by Louis Armstrong — “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen/Nobody knows but Jesus” — might be an apt job description for crisis counselors and case managers who daily commiserate with the south Louisiana fishing families harmed by the massive BP oil spill. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and its counselors and managers have made a concerted effort to provide mental health counseling to these families and individuals at five church sites. But the agency also has learned from catastrophes such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina that “you have to care for the caregiver,” said Dr. Elmore Rigamer, medical director of Catholic Charities. That commitment to the caregiver was on display Sept. 20-22 at the Jesuit-run Manresa House of Retreats, which defrayed the cost of a three-day retreat for 28 Catholic Charities counselors and case managers who, since April, have been giving assistance to and consoling families whose livelihoods have been threatened by the spill. If nothing else, the days of strolling on Manresa’s lush grounds and sitting beneath the shade of expansive, centuries-old oak trees — mostly in silence — allowed the retreatants to relieve the stress of carrying so many others’ burdens. At one group session, during which the retreatants could respond to questions, one case manager told Rigamer, a psychiatrist: “I used to have a flame or a spark within me to help people, and that spark has burned out. I’m burned out.”

Devotions to Mary on display at annual parade in Manhattan NEW YORK (CNS) — A parade dedicated to Mary was an unexpected sight for pedestrians and motorists as it passed by the salons and high-end fashion boutiques of Manhattan’s Upper West Side Oct. 2.

Starting at noon, representatives of Latino communities from throughout New York City gathered for the annual Marian event under a bright blue sky. Participants walked ahead or alongside floats and other displays as the mile-long parade made its way up Amsterdam Avenue. The Marian images represented devotions to the mother of God from various countries, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico; Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal; and Our Lady of the Angels, Costa Rica. Other countries represented by the images included Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Chile, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Uruguay, Venezuela, Peru, Panama and Nicaragua.

THE LEAVEN • october 15, 2010

UN has duty to help poor of the world

Coping with stuttering a blessing for priest

By Phong Vinh Nguyen

Catholic News Service

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (CNS) —Father Michael Dunn considers his stuttering to be a blessing.

“I believe that my stuttering has made me a more compassionate, patient and understanding person in my dealings with others,” said the Bridgeport diocesan priest, who is the pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Weston.

In an interview for Catholic News Service, the priest recalled the poor treatment he received as a child when classmates mocked his speech. But when he made the decision to enter the seminary — he was going for a graduate degree in counseling at the time — he was heartened by how his superiors treated him.

“They were always very supportive and helpful and remained more confident than I was that my speech would not be an issue for me,” he said.

Such understanding and encouragement was far different than what he experienced as a child.

One of the most embarrassing moments of his life, he said, was during grammar school when he tried out for a part in the school play. When it was his turn to read, he could not get out the first word at all and eventually gave up and sat down.

In September 2009, people in the Bridgeport area might have been surprised to see a feature article in the Connecticut Post about Father Dunn and his struggle with stuttering.

But it should come as no news that priests, women religious and brothers would be among the 1 percent of adults worldwide who stutter. Four percent of children show signs of stuttering at some time during their development.

Father Dunn encourages young Catholics who stutter not to let their speech stand in the way of pursuing a vocation.

“I think with God’s grace and help you can do or overcome anything, so young people should not be afraid or think they can’t do it,” he told CNS. Father Dunn has come across other priests who stutter and they have shared both advice and techniques they have found helpful.

Father Michael Skrocki, pastor of St. Ann Melkite Catholic Church in Danbury, is the product of numerous failed speech therapy programs. He cannot remember a time when he did not stutter.

Saying Mass has never presented a

CNS photo/courtesy Father Dunn

Father Michael Dunn, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Weston, Conn., says coping with his stuttering has helped him be more compassionate and sensitive to problems his parishioners face. The priest is pictured in an undated photo. problem for him.

“Well, most, if not all, of the Divine Liturgy in the Eastern Catholic Churches is sung, so I suspect I have less difficulty than if it were recited,” he said. “The primary ‘spoken’ part would be the homily.

If I run into a problem, I simply pause and try again. Perhaps that effort makes my congregation listen a little closer to what I’m saying.”

Asked how he would advise people to look to their faith when dealing with such a speech problem, Father Michael Skrocki answered: “Whether it’s a stutter, some other physical, emotional or psychological disability, I’ve always looked at it as the way God made us . . . the challenges that God has given us to overcome — for whatever reason.”

“As St. Paul says, ‘I can do all things in

“I think with God’s grace and help you can do or overcome anything, so young people should not be afraid or think they can’t do it.”

”

Father Michael Dunn

Christ who strengthens me,’” added the priest, who has a doctorate in canon law from The Catholic University of America in Washington.

One woman religious who has vast experience in working with children who stutter, but does not stutter herself is Ursuline Sister Winifred Danwitz, a retired speech language pathologist.

Nearly 50 years ago, Sister Winifred saw a need to help children in the Bronx section of New York with communication problems. In 1961 she founded the Mount St. Ursula Speech Center. The center’s mission — to treat children with speech and language disorders at low or no cost — is still going strong.

Reflecting on the center she founded, Sister Winifred said, “I am most proud of the fact that we never refused treatment to a child because of a parent’s inability to pay a fee.”

“It was a marvelous step to meeting a need that was not addressed,” she added.

Since the 1970s federal law has mandated that any child enrolled in school — whether public, religious or private school — is entitled to free speech therapy if he or she needs it. The therapy can begin as early as preschool and continue throughout high school.

The Stuttering Foundation, a Memphis, Tenn.-based nonprofit organization, has a brochure titled “Special Education Law and Children Who Stutter,” which spells out the benefit. The brochure can be downloaded at the foundation’s Web site, www.stutteringhelp. org. It can be found using the link “Brochures for All Ages.” The site also offers various other resources.

Jane Fraser, foundation president, hopes to make the benefit of free speech therapy better known to parents of children in religious-based schools throughout the U.S. “The United States has the best policy in the world for helping children with speech problems. It is a shame that this awesome benefit is little known,” she said.

Father Dunn noted something else positive about giving advice to people who share his speech problem.

“I have always felt that God has been the source of my strength not only with my stuttering but in every other challenge and obstacle as well,” he said.

“Without him I would have never made it. . . . I would have given up or thrown in the towel.”

Villa St. Francis

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CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters

POPE RECEIVES FLAG SIGNED BY MINERS — Pope Benedict XVI receives a Chilean flag at the Vatican Oct. 7. The flag was signed by each of the 33 miners who have been trapped underground for more than three weeks in a copper and gold mine near Copiapo, Chile. At left is Msgr. Georg Ganswein, the pope’s personal secretary.

WYD organizers prepare for Madrid with Facebook, YouTube

By Carol Glatz

Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — World Youth Day organizers, who are expecting more than 2 million participants, are preparing for the 2011 event in Madrid with Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and fundraisers using text messages.

Social networking sites have been key outlets “for raising awareness, mobilizing, communicating and financing World Youth Day,” said Auxiliary Bishop Cesar Franco Martinez of Madrid, who is the general coordinator of the Aug. 16-21 international event.

Maria de Jaureguizar, vice director of communications for World Youth Day 2011, said, “It will be a WYD that is fully immersed in the Internet, the place where young people today meet.”

“All information and all promotional materials can be found on the official Web site,” www.madrid11.com, interested participants can plan and “interact” on special pages and accounts organizers have set up on a variety of social networking sites, she said.

As of Oct. 5, there were more than 165,000 fans of World Youth Day on Facebook, she said. WYD organizers set up 19 separate Facebook accounts in different languages, including Chinese and Arabic.

Bishop Franco said they launched a fundraising Web site, www.muchas gracias.info, where donors from all over the world can contribute any amount they wish either to a general fund or for specific items and initiatives such as liturgical objects or housing and feeding volunteers.

Numerous businesses have helped out as sponsors and government agencies are showing “maximum collaboration” in working with the church to make the event a success, said Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela of Madrid.

He said 20,000 volunteers will be “the backbone of World Youth Day,” helping shuttle pilgrims from airports and train stations and helping do media outreach.

Numerous families in Madrid will be opening their homes to offer young people a place to stay, the cardinal said, while schools, gyms and churches will also serve as no-frills accommodations.

Bishop Franco said so far 170,000 young people have registered, and they expect 600,000 to register before the event. He said only 25-30 percent of those who take part in World Youth Day events actually register for the gathering. Online registration can be done at: www.madrid11.com.

UNITED NATIONS (CNS) — The United Nations must fulfill its responsibilities to address extreme poverty, said the Vatican’s new representative to the United Nations.

Archbishop Francis Chullikatt said Oct. 5 that although the global financial and economic crisis has shown signs of recovery, “many of the poorest within society remain outside the benefits of this recovery with an additional 64 million people falling into extreme poverty by the end of this year.”

“This challenge presents a need for new focus by the international community to return to authentic humanitarian programs and financial systems which place the person at its center rather than at its service,” he said.

The archbishop, named to the post in July, delivered the statement to a session of the General Assembly that was addressing a report on the work of the world body.

Focusing on military expenses around the world, he called the $1.3 trillion spent in 2007 for arms and other military expenditures particularly troubling in light of the fact that more than 1.4 billion people around the world live on less than $1.25 per day.

“This never-ending ability to find funds for military programs highlights yet again the need for individuals and governmental leaders to refocus their priorities and financial commitments,” he said.

Archbishop Chullikatt noted that issues facing the world’s poor — such as lack of education and access to clean drinking water and sanitation — have not been met “even though the capacity to provide remains within our grasp.”

The way to meet such needs, he said, requires a shift in how money is spent and moving “financial resources from military programs to those which seek long term sustainable development.”

“While the challenge is real, it is not an insurmountable obstacle if nations move resources from programs designed to destroy to those which foster life and development,” he emphasized.

Archbishop Chullikatt said the promotion of human and economic development specifically requires a commitment to the “fundamental right to life.”

world 11

Catholics condemn 1940s experiments on Guatemalans SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CNS) — Catholic leaders condemned the Tuskegee-like medical experiments U.S. researchers carried out on Guatemalans in the 1940s, calling them a “deplorable” abuse of power. “We fundamentally reject this and other abuses the United States has committed against the Guatemalan people in the past,” said Father Mauro Verzeletti, secretary of the Guatemalan bishops’ pastoral committee on human migration. “This was medical terrorism.”

From 1946 to 1948, American researchers infected 696 Guatemalans with the sexually transmitted diseases syphilis and, in fewer cases, gonorrhea. The patients were then treated with penicillin, a relatively new medicine at the time.

The study was aimed at testing the drug’s effectiveness in fighting those diseases, but the participants did not know they were part of a trial. The unpublished study was discovered by Wellesley College medical historian Susan M. Reverby while sifting through archives at the University of Pittsburgh. Reverby, whose article on the experiments will be published in January’s Journal of Policy History, gave U.S. health officials an advance copy of her findings. On Oct. 1, the United States formally apologized to Guatemala.

Money, staff in short supply to meet health needs in Holy Land KARAK, Jordan (CNS) — Comboni Sister Alessandra, the administrator of the Italian Hospital here, knows what she’d do if she had a couple of million dollars. The Italianborn nun would build a 15-chair dialysis clinic that could be used 10 hours a day, seven days a week. She also would beef up the maternity ward and infant care areas at the hospital. “The water here is bad.

People’s kidneys work hard” to cleanse the impurities in the water, she said. If the kidneys work too hard, dialysis becomes necessary. A new birthing center and an expanded neonatal intensive care unit could help poorer mothers and their children get the care they need, Sister Alessandra said.

Currently, the hospital averages about three births a day. The needs, according to Sister Alessandra, are acute. Meeting the needs in Karak and elsewhere in the Middle East is problematic. There seems to be a perpetual shortage of money, and the number of Sisters available for health ministry keeps shrinking. The Comboni order had established hospitals throughout the Middle East — all with the name “Italian Hospital,” given the order’s roots — but a decrease in vocations has forced the order to close hospitals throughout the region.

12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment Administrative assistant - For CYO of Johnson and Wyandotte counties. Part-time position; 25 hrs. per week. Competitive pay. For details or an application, visit the Web site at: cyojwa.org.

Early education director - St. John Francis Regis Parish seeks an enthusiastic leader of our family friendly Early Learning Center to guide our 6-weeks through pre-K program, plus our school-age after-care program and summer school-age program. The qualified candidate will be an active and practicing Catholic in good standing with the church, preferably with a bachelor’s degree in early education or related field. A minimum of 12 hours in the field of early childhood is required. A minimum of three years of experience in a supervised child care classroom setting. One year in a supervisory position is required. The director will have skills in marketing, personnel management and budgeting. Familiarity with NAEYC accreditation is a must. The ability to work with both children and adults in an active learning environment and maintain staff development in accordance with diocesan and state standards is also necessary. Applications are available by contacting the Catholic Schools Office at (816) 756-1858, ext. 274, or on the Web site at: http://jobs.diocesekcsj.org/jobs.

Administrator - The Catholic Diocese of Wichita is seeking an administrator for Blessed Sacrament School, Wichita, for the 2011-12 academic year. Candidate must be a practicing Catholic; eligible for Kansas licensure as an administrator; promote a standardsbased instructional program; and possess strong interpersonal and organizational skills. Interested candidates may send resume, by Oct. 29, to: Mr. Dan McAdam, Director of Staff Services, Catholic Diocese of Wichita, 424 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202.

Customer service - Growing company looking to hire a customer relations representative. Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and QuickBooks, and be highly articulate with excellent verbal communications skills. Will be handling outgoing calls on a daily basis to current and potential customers. Must be a self-motivated, results-driven, detail-oriented professional. Pay based on education and experience. Send resume, via e-mail, to: print@ bestgraphicsinc.com.

Part-time bowling machine mechanic - St. John’s Catholic Club, Kansas City, Kan., needs someone to maintain a six-lane house in the men’s club. All late model 1960s Brunswick equipment. Call Kenny at (913) 788-9758.

Financial representative - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding financial representatives in the Kansas City and Emporia areas. This position is ideal for a determined, high-energy, high-expectation, professional, selfdisciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better-than-average income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. For information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, 307 Dakota, Holton KS 66436; or call (785) 364-5450.

Services Need help with QuickBooks®? - I provide setup, customization, and maintenance; quarterly and/ or yearly accounting; and support for your certified public accountant. I can help with balancing monthly statements and providing profit and expense tracking. Call Ann at Evans Consulting LLC at (913) 4069778 or send an e-mail to: Annevans401@gmail.com.

Member of Curé of Ars Parish.

Mortgage rates have never been lower!!!

Considering a refinance or new home purchase?

Call today to see how much money you can save.

We make mortgage loans easy and hassle-free.

Evening and weekend appointments available.

Members of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa.

Call Kurt or Angie at Approved Mortgage Inc. (913) 599-0004 An equal housing lender.

KS mortgage number MC0002252 Bankruptcy - When debt becomes overwhelming, seek professional help. Experienced, compassionate Catholic attorney Teresa Kidd. For a confidential, no obligation consultation, call (913) 422-0610; or send an e-mail to: tkidd@kc.rr.com.

Machine quilting by Lyn - I also do T-shirt, photo, and memorial quilts. Official Hobbs distributor.

Located in Overland Park. Call Lyn at (913) 492-8877.

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 15, 2010 Counseling - Topeka Marriage and family, child, teen, personal Shunga Creek Mental Health Call Ken Zweig, LSCSW at (785) 969-5308.

Faith-based counseling to cope with life concerns - Kansas City area. Call Mary Vorsten, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, at (913) 909-2002.

Need a ride? Where to? I am available to take you to your doctor’s appointment, hairdresser or shopping. Maybe you aren’t driving anymore or just prefer a chauffeur; I’ll get you there. I can also run errands for you or do the grocery shopping. Just give me a call to discuss your needs. Johnson County only.

Call (913) 469-6211 or (816) 806-0564.

Husband and wife cleaning team - Reasonable rates; references provided. Call (913) 940-2959.

Old-fashioned cleaning - Hand-mopping; a consistent, thorough job every time! Years of experience; excellent references. Special occasion, party and holiday cleaning. I make a great gift! Call Sharon at (816) 322-0006.

Semi-retired arborist - Available for tree and shrub trimming. Call Bob at (913) 231- 6460.

Fall Lawn Repair Aerate, verticut and overseeding.

Insured and bonded.

Local parishioner. Free estimates.

Call (913) 620-6063.

Tree service - Pruning trees for optimal growth and beauty and removal of hazardous limbs or problem trees. Free consultation and bid. Safe, insured, professional. Brad Grabs, Green Solutions of KC, (913) 244-5838. www.GreenSolutionsKC.com.

Foley’s Lawn Care Now scheduling fall cleanups.

Providing you with mowing, overseeding, aeration, verticutting, gutter cleaning and mulching.

Serving Johnson County for over 10 yrs.

St. Joseph parishioner. (913) 825-4353 www.foleyslawncare.com.

Caregiving Retired respiratory therapist (male) - Available to care for your loved one. Many years experience. Flexible hours. References available. Prefer Wyandotte, Leavenworth or Johnson counties. Call (913) 205-9043.

Retired nurse - Available to care for your loved one. Days, nights, and weekends. Will consider livein; willing to relocate. References; salary negotiable.

Call (913) 579-5276.

Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Sara or Gary.

Do you or your parents need help at home? For as little as $60/week, Benefits of Home-Senior Care can provide assistance with personal care, shopping and many other daily needs. For details, visit our Web site at: benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

Home Improvement Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured.

(913) 599-7998 Clutter problems? Embarrassing garage, basement, attic or any room? Let me help you get organized! Items sorted, grouped, boxed and labeled; areas clean when finished. Great references and insured. Twenty years experience! Handyman repairs also available. To view “before” and “after” pictures, visit my Web site at: WWW.SWALMS.COM. Tillar Swalm (913) 375-9115.

Clutter getting you down?- Let us help you get organized! For a free consultation, contact Kevin, your professional organizer/handyman, at (913) 2715055. Insured/references. www.KOATindustries.com.

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 15, 2010 The Drywall Doctor, Inc. - A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean!

Lead-certified and insured! Serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655.

Land FSBO - Winchester, Kan. 40 acres m/l (10 timber, 30 prairie grass); two ponds with good fishing; good deer and turkey hunting; a mile and a half off the highway; beautiful building site; excellent schools; only 40 miles from KC. Call (913) 683-4488 or (913) 362-3024.

Tile and painting - Complete tile and paint repairs and renovation. Ceramic, porcelain, certified limestone tile master. Complete interior paint services and drywall texture finishes. Over 20 years experience. Fully licensed. Service 7 days a week.

Contact Mike at (913) 488-4930. Member of Church of the Ascension Parish, Overland Park.

For Rent

Interior and exterior painting and wallpaper removal - 30-plus years experience. Quality work; excellent references; reasonable rates. Senior discount. Member of St. Ann Parish, Prairie Village. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

Painting, exterior and interior, drywall projects, powerwashing, rotted window sills repaired - Quality products. 20 years experience. References. Call (913) 341-7584.

Carpet direct – We cut out the middle man and bring the showroom to you! The best place to see your flooring is in your own home or office. Save 40 - 80% on carpet and hard surfaces. Residential and commercial. For a free estimate, call Amanda at (913) 742-4003.

Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates.

JoCo and southern KC metro area. Call Pat at (913) 9639896.

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Call for free estimates. Cell: (913) 579-1835; phone: (913) 491-5837; e-mail: smokey cabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Masonry work – Quality, new or repair work.

Brick, block, and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second generation bricklayer. Call (913) 829-4336.

Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

Tim the Handyman - Insured; free estimates. Carpentry: new and repair deck, doors, windows, siding, screens. Plumbing: faucet, garbage disposals, toilets.

Electrical: switches, outlets, ceiling fans, light fixtures.

Light landscape: fill dirt, trimming, planting, garden tilling and mulching. Serving Johnson County. Call Tim at (913) 859-0471.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation * Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!!

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376 Father-and-son team - These guys can do it all — exterior painting, decks, fences, retaining walls, metal buildings, patios, porches, and driveways. We’ll do your job for a reasonable price! Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

Real Estate Westwood home FSBO - 3 BR, 2-1/2 BA ranch.

Low utilities, well-insulated, dry basement, partially finished basement, lots of storage, fenced backyard, hardwood floors. SME school district; near St. Agnes Parish and Bishop Miege High School. $169,500. Call (913) 432-2287.

Wonderful true 5-bedroom home - Prince of Peace, Olathe. Only $175,000. Great updates; excellent condition. Fenced yard. Master with bath; laundry on main level. Motivated seller. 1430 E. Wells Fargo Dr. Minutes from Garmin and hwys. Call Rita Moley Dickey, Reece and Nichols, at (913) 269-4786.

Walk to St. James Academy - 9621 Appleridge Lane, Lenexa.Beautiful 4 BR, 4-1/2 BA, plus main level office. Exquisite open floor plan with mud room, semi-finished basement, and more. On a cul-de-sac. For information, call Cynthia Sowle, Coldwell Banker, at (913) 240-3263.

Living at its best on a budget! - 1 BR apt., with rent based on income; all utilities paid; no voucher needed. Section 8 assistance. Great location, only 5-10 minutes from The Legends in Kansas City, Kan. Edwardsville Court Apartments Highrise, 531 S. 4th St., Edwardsville. Call (913) 441-6007. EHO. Handicap accessible.

For rent – 1 BR, 1 BA apartment in Shawnee near Nieman and Johnson Dr. $515/month; utilities included. 10911 W. 59th Terr. To view, visit the Web site at: www.shawnee-rentals.com. Call (913) 649-7596.

Vacation Ski cabin in Winter Park, Colo. – 2 BR, 1 BA, on free ski shuttle route. $110/night. Call (913) 6423027. For pictures, visit the Web site at: cabin.forcade associates.com.

Vacation rental - Marriott Frenchman’s Cove time share, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Jan. 8 - 15, 2011. 1 BR, 1 BA, suite with two queen beds, private entrance, balcony and kitchenette. To view, visit the Web site at: www.marriottvacationclub.com. $1,000/ week. Call Amy at (816) 853-0307.

Misc.

Responsible bowhunter - Seeking permission and/or lease rights to hunting property for deer. May trade legal services. Call (785) 231-9706.

Booth rental - Established salon in Westwood area is seeking stylist for booth rental. Contact Sandy or Janeen at (913) 831-2606.

For Sale Two cemetery lots - In Faith Garden at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa. Section B; lot 45; spaces 3 and 4. The current cost is $3450, if purchased through the cemetery. Asking $2400 for both. For information, contact Tim Streff at (913) 927-2221.

Residential lifts - Buy/sell/trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. Recycled and new equipment. Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood. Call Silver Cross KC at (913) 393-2042.

Wanted to buy ***WANTED*** I buy coins, older watches, silverware, slot machines, old rifles and shotguns, stoneware crocks and jugs, old furniture from basement or attic.

Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269 Will buy firearms and related accessories One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

Antique/Vintage Costume Jewelry ***Wanted to Buy*** * Member St. Joseph Parish Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179

Entertainment DJ Irishman - Colm Delahunt is available for parties, weddings, graduations, and any other function.

Playing all your favorite hits from the Village People to U2. Call (913) 548-6765 or visit the Web site at: www.djirishman.com.

To purchase a classified ad:

Send an e-mail to: jennifer@theleaven.com, or call (913) 647-0327. The cost is $16 per column inch, five lines or less. Each additional line is $1.50.

Oct. 15-17

The St. Genesius Guild will present a four-act play, entitled “Saint Bernadette,” at Nettie Harnett Elementary School, 1000 3rd Ave., Leavenworth, at 7 p.m. on Oct. 15 and 16 and at 4 p.m. on Oct. 17. Tickets cost: $5 for adults; $3 for youth ages 5 - 11; children under 5 attend free. For information or reservations, send an e-mail to: thesgg kc@gmail.com; call Jim Moran at (913) 721-2257; or visit the Web site at: www. thesgg.org

16

The Shawnee Knights of Columbus will host a polka dance featuring the Brian McCarty Band from 7:30 11 p.m. on Oct. 16 at their hall, located at 5900 King. The cost of $10 per person includes Polish sausage and sauerkraut sandwiches at 9 p.m. For information or to reserve a table, contact Dan Nicks at (913) 631-4633.

Father John Riley will celebrate the archdiocesan monthly pro-life Mass on Oct. 16 at 8 a.m. at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, 44 N. Mill, Kansas City, Kan., followed by a rosary procession to an abortion clinic four blocks away. Eucharistic adoration is available for those not processing; Benediction concludes services at 9:45 a.m.

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on Oct. 16 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The bereavement ministry will have its monthly meeting following Mass in the Father Burak Room. Brent Dowster of Catholic Charities Hospice will speak on “Managing the Holidays.”

For information, call (913) 649-2026.

The Altar Society of St. Mary-St. Anthony Church, 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host its annual Oktoberfest on Oct. 16. A Mass featuring German hymns will be celebrated at 4 p.m., followed by dinner in Bishop Forst Hall.

The cost for dinner is $8.50 for adults; $4.50 for children 12 and under. Dinner tickets must be purchased in advance. To purchase tickets, call the parish office at (913) 371-1408.

The Knights of Columbus of Sacred Heart Parish, Tonganoxie, will host a showing of the documentary film “BloodMoney: The Business of Abortion” at 7 p.m. on Oct. 17. The film, narrated by Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., exposes the truth behind the abortion industry. The admission “fee” for the film is a package of baby diapers (sizes 3 & 4 preferably), diaper wipes, or cash donations — to support the Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic and Leavenworth Birthright. For more information, call Ed O’Brien at (913) 5931184 or Ed Standish at (913) 369-9200.

17

The Franciscan Servants of the Holy Family will host a Franciscan prayer walk from 2 - 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 along the trails at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St., Bucyrus. A cookout will follow. For information or to RSVP, call Sister Doris at (816) 729-7065 or send an e-mail to her at: srdoris@aol.com.

Mary Health of the Sick women’s guild of the Sisters, Servants of Mary will meet after the 9 a.m. Mass on Oct. 17 at the convent, 800 N. 18th St., Kan-

sas City, Kan. Anyone interested in joining the guild is invited to attend.

information, call Shannon Foley at (913) 302-8505.

The Knights of Columbus of St. John the Evangelist Church, 2910 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will host an international breakfast from 8 - 11 a.m. on Oct. 17 in the parish hall. The cost is $7 per person; children under five eat free.

The Lansing Knights of Columbus will host their annual tasting fair, raffle and auction at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 23 at St. Francis de Sales Church, 900 Ida. Proceeds will benefit the parish and other charities in the Leavenworth/Lansing community.

Queen of the Holy Rosary - Wea, 22779 Metcalf, Bucyrus, will host a fall bazaar from noon - 6 p.m. on Oct. 17. A homemade fried chicken dinner will be served. The cost is: $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 3 - 12; children under three eat free. H1N1 and seasonal flu shots will be available for $30 per person; there is no cost for Medicare participants. The parish will receive a donation for each shot administered. There will also be a country store, bingo, raffles and a kiddie carnival.

The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women will meet briefly at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 23 before the Day of Boundless Joy retreat at the Savior Pastoral Center. All women are welcome to attend.

Immaculate Conception Church, 711 N. 5th St., Leavenworth, will host “Audible Lights,” a concert featuring Allen Asbury and the Brooks Brothers, at 7 p.m. on Oct. 17. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4- 12. To purchase tickets, contact Katie or Carol Peterson at (913) 772-8871 or the parish office at (913) 682-3953. Proceeds will benefit the youth group’s World Youth Day fund.

19

An eight-session knitting and crocheting class for beginners will be offered from 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday evenings, beginning Oct. 19, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Needles, crochet hooks and yarn will be provided. Space is limited and reservations are required.

For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www. mountosb.org/kwc.

20 & 27

“Challenge of Parenting Early Teens (ages 11 – 15),” a two-part parenting program, will be offered from 9:30 - 11 a.m. on Oct. 20 and 27 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www. mountosb.org/kwc.

21

A healing Mass, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. Father Anthony Kiplagat will preside; fellowship follows.

22-24

The Catholic Campus Center at Washburn University, Topeka, will celebrate its 40th anniversary from Oct. 22 - 24. Activities include: an open house; participation in the homecoming parade; tailgating before the game; a dance on Saturday evening; and a Mass and reception on Oct. 24 with Msgr. Vince Krische. For information, contact Stephen Schiffelbein at (785) 286-1551 or Patti Lyon at (785) 233-2204.

23

The Ladies Guild of St. Joseph Church, 5901 Flint, Shawnee, will host a gift and craft bazaar from 9 a.m.

- 3 p.m. on Oct. 23 in McDevitt Hall. A wide variety of items from more that 40 vendors — ranging from jewelry and antiques to home décor — will be available. A continental breakfast, lunch, and afternoon refreshments will be provided by the St. Joseph Garden Club at nominal cost. For

23-24

St. Matthew Parish, 2700 S.E. Virginia, Topeka, will host a fall festival on Oct. 23 - 24. A 5K run/ walk will take place at 9 a.m. on Oct. 23.

A chili supper and cookie contest will follow the 5 p.m. Mass. On Oct. 24, a turkey dinner will be served from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. There will also be outdoor games and booths for all ages.

24

A pancake breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Oct. 24 in the parish hall at St. Patrick Church, 1086 N. 94th, Kansas City, Kan., to benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary. The cost is $6 for adults; $4 for children under 10 years old. The Mary Health of the Sick Guild will also be selling baked goods and homemade strudels.

Holy Angels Church, Garnett, will host a fall bazaar on Oct. 24. A turkey and beef and noodles dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 11 a.m. 2 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults; $5 for children 10 and under. Carryouts will be available for $9.

Mater Dei-Holy Name Church, 1114 S.W. 10th, Topeka, will host Benediction and a Divine Mercy Holy Hour at 3 p.m. on Oct. 24. Fellowship will follow.

25 & 27

Stanley Villavicencio, from the Philippines, will offer a presentation of hope, prayer, miracles and trials at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25 at Mater Dei-Assumption Church, 204 S.W. 8th Ave., Topeka, and again at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, 7023 W. 71 St., Overland Park.

27

“The Musical of Tobit,” an entertaining interpretation of an Old Testament story, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 at Good Shepherd Church, 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee.

Tickets cost: $15 for adults; $10 for children; or $50 for a family of four or more.

For information or to purchase tickets, call (913) 631-7116 or visit the Web site at: www.goodshepherdshawnee.org.

The “Couples Talk” program will be offered from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Improve your ability to communicate with those you love. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

28

A career transition ministry group will meet from 6:30 - 9 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the social room at Holy Trinity Church, 13615 W. 92nd St., Lenexa.

Guest speaker Danny O’Neill, owner of The Roasterie, will talk about networking. For information, contact Judy Ambler at (816) 225-8610 or send an e-mail to her at: judy.ambler@epcgconsulting. com.

CALENDAR 13

“Comfort Foods: Casseroles and Crockpots,” a cooking class, will be offered from 9:30 - 11 a.m. on Oct. 28 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb. org/kwc.

29

The youth group of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Parish, Leavenworth, will host a fundraising art auction on Oct. 29. The auction features art

from Marlin Art of New York in all media and price ranges. Tickets cost $5 in advance; $10 at the door. A wine and cheese preview will begin at 7 p.m. and the auction will follow at 8 p.m. For information or to purchase tickets, contact the parish office at (913) 682-3953.

29-31

The Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will offer a retreat, entitled “Bridges To Contemplative Living,” from 7 p.m. on Oct. 29 through 2 p.m. on Oct. 31. This small group experience will gently lead participants into a deeper, more contemplative and reflective mode of living in God’s presence. The retreat will be facilitated

by Sisters Sheila Carroll and Gabrielle Kocour, Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica and staff members of Sophia Center. The cost of $180 is due by Oct. 15.

For information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit the Web site at: www. mountosb.org/sophia.html.

Misc.

The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer free haircuts to women preparing for an interview or seeking employment. To schedule an appointment with a licensed beautician, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/ kwc.

A support group for women dealing with any type of addiction, at any stage of recovery, will meet from 6 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

Healing from pornography? Monthly theology of the body groups and weekly recovery groups are available for men and women. For information, visit the Web site at: LoveIsFaithful.com, or call Sam Meier, MA, LPC, at (913) 6470378.

The Serra Club invites all men of the archdiocese to pray with them to increase vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Meetings are held at noon on every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information, contact Jim Conrad at (913) 432-4162, John Muehlberger at (913) 441-5061, or Bill Peters at (913) 894-6967.

Calendar items must be received nine days before the publication date.

E-mail submissions are preferred; send to: jennifer@theleaven.com. Submissions may be mailed to: 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109.

14 COMMENTARY

THE LEAVEN • October 15, 2010

THE LEAVEN • October 15, 2010

Mark my words

Catholic Press Association Award Winner 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Quote Week

of the

“We try to incarnate the abstract. What they learn in the classroom, we try to give them a way of articulating that into concrete form.”

Abbot Owen Purcell, OSB See story on page 4

I

It happened, as things like this often do, in a most unexpected way. The 14-year-old, named Hannah Salwen, was in a car one day with her dad Kevin. They found themselves waiting for a stoplight to change. In front of them was a shiny Mercedes; a homeless man with a sign asking for donations for food was standing on the corner. In a sudden flash of awareness, the injustice of the scene struck Hannah.

“You know, Dad,” Hannah said, “if that man had a less nice car, that man there could have a meal.”

That simple statement would end up taking the Salwen family — Hannah, her parents Kevin and Joan, and her brother Joseph — on a journey they never imagined taking. Over the course of the next two years, this well-to-do family would take a hard look at itself and its lifestyle. Eventually, the Salwens would end up selling their 6500-sq.-ft. home for one half that size. Even more remarkable, the family would donate half of the selling price — some $800,000 — to help 12 desperately poor villages in Ghana, Africa. The Salwens have captured their story in “The Power of Half: One Family’s Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010; $24).

Hannah wrote in her journal that

twenty-eighth WEEK IN ordinary time Oct. 17 TWENTY-ninth SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Ex 17: 8-13; Ps 121: 1-8; 2 Tm 3:14 — 4:2; Lk 18: 1-8 Oct. 18 LUKE, EVANGELIST 2 Tm 4: 10-17b; Ps 145: 10-13, 17-18; Lk 10: 1-9 Oct. 19 John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, martyrs, and their companions, martyrs Eph 2: 12-22; Ps 85: 9-14; Lk 12: 35-38 Oct. 20 Paul of the Cross, priest Eph 3: 2-12; (Ps) Is 12: 2-3, 4b-6; Lk 12: 39-48 Oct. 21 Thursday Eph 3: 14-21; Ps 33: 1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19; Lk 12: 49-53 Oct. 22 Friday Eph 4: 1-6; Ps 24: 1-4b, 5-6; Lk 12: 54-59 Oct. 23 John of Capistrano, priest Eph 4: 7-16; Ps 122: 1-5; Lk 13: 1-9

Making sense out of bioethics

Are you a ‘halve’ or a ‘halve not’?

t all started with a stoplight, a Mercedes and a homeless man. Those three elements, along with the idealism of a 14-year-old Atlanta girl, transformed one family forever.

seeing the Mercedes and the homeless man made her sad and then angry, mainly at herself. She realized how much she had, while others had so little. She then challenged her family to make a difference in the world, “even if it’s a small difference.”

What most fascinated me is the amount — half — that this family chose to give away. When most people think of donating, a “tithe,” or ten percent, comes to mind. And if people actually did that, it would be remarkably generous, considering that most people contribute only somewhere in the neighborhood of two percent of their income to charity.

When asked why fifty percent, Kevin noted that so many times people have a good intention to do “more,” but for him that’s “too vague to be useful.”

Fifty percent, on the other hand, is very measurable. Everyone knows what “half” is.

After determining the amount to be donated, the Salwens decided to help out some villages in Ghana — places so insignificant, they didn’t even appear on a map. Most had no electricity or running water. The family chose these villages because there are absolutely no safety nets there (like food stamps, for example), and money goes a lot further in Africa than in the States, allowing more good to be accomplished.

As we anticipate marking World Mission Sunday next weekend, perhaps

we can be inspired by the example of the Salwens. Realistically, very few people can do what they did financially. However, that doesn’t let us off the hook. There are plenty of other “halves” that we can pursue.

For example, could we watch half as much TV and donate the “extra time” to learning as a family about a land or culture that is foreign to us? Can we hit the coffee shop or convenience store half as often and put that money instead into the World Mission Sunday envelope? Can we plow through our closets and donate half our shirts or pairs of shoes to a clothing drive? Can we eat half as much once a week and donate the saved amount to charities that alleviate world hunger? The key elements are to do something practical and measurable, consistently, and as a family.

As the Salwens set out to help the world, they themselves were transformed. In the mansion they used to live in, everyone scattered to his or her own separate space and rarely saw or even spoke to one another. In their smaller house, the Salwens sat around the table together much more often, actually enjoyed one another’s company, and were able to discuss issues of deep human importance.

So, ponder the “power of half.”

See if it’s right for you. And if you’re doubtful that your small contribution of money, clothing or time will really matter, be inspired by a favorite quote of the Salwen family. It comes Anita Roddick, the founder of the Body Shop: “If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you’ve never been in bed with a mosquito.”

On World Mission Sunday next weekend, maybe it’s time to finally go halfway.

word to life

Prayer partners, Bible studies can ‘prop up’ prayer life

I

was raised a Catholic and, like many Catholic homes in the 1960s, we had a family Bible — the huge coffee-table size, with the red cover, goldedged pages and photos of the popes and cardinals in the front.

It was not very portable, and I think we only read from it at ChristmasTwenty-ninth time. Fortunately sunday for me, we also in ordinary time owned a children’s Lk 18: 1-8 illustrated Bible, through which my imagination became absorbed with all the colorful stories of salvation history.

It wasn’t until I met friends in high school who read the Bible regularly that I discovered what I had been missing.

The words on the page came alive as the Holy Spirit helped me find comfort, insight and direction through the text — and the more I read, the more I

When I find prayer wearisome or my devotional life drying up, I, like Moses in Sunday’s first reading, require some help and support.

That’s when a good prayer partner, spiritual director or Bible study group “props up” the arms of my resolve so that I can again turn to the Scriptures and — 2 Tm 3: 15 become “equipped for every good work.”

By allowing the inspired truths, promises and even challenges of the Bible to permeate my prayer, I am also better able to “proclaim the word” to others.

These days, I own several different versions of the Bible, and all of them are quite a bit smaller and more portable than that coffee-table volume from my childhood. The most portable version, however, is the one that I carry around in my head and my heart, ever reminding me to be faithful to what I have learned and believed.

“You have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation.”

encountered Jesus, the living Word.

After more than 30 years of reading, studying and praying with the Bible, I still discover treasures in the words of Scripture. Even so, I admit that I’m not as persistent or consistent as I could be.

commentary 15

I

Defending the dignity of those with dementia

once heard a remarkable story from a woman named Cecilia sitting next to me on a long flight. She told me how her mother had suffered from dementia for many years, eventually reaching the point where she could no longer recognize any of her children when they would visit at the nursing home.

She then changed the tone of the conversation immediately when she added, “But there’s always someone in there.”

When I asked what she meant, she continued: “I love singing and, as an AfricanAmerican, I’ve got a strong voice. I sometimes visit nursing homes near my house just to sing for the patients, to do something different and break up their routine a little. I still remember 12 years ago, I decided I would sing for my mom. She didn’t have a clue who I was, and didn’t respond to much of anything, because the dementia was so advanced. She seemed almost catatonic. By chance, I had come across

one of her old hymnals with the Baptist songs we used to sing in church as kids. She used to know most of them by heart. Well, those old hymns stirred up something inside her and, after I started singing, she suddenly picked up and began to sing along with me! Yup, there’s always someone in there.”

Cecilia’s story about her mother runs against a cultural tendency today, which is to dismiss those struggling with dementia as if they were no longer persons. These patients, however, clearly deserve much more from us than the kind of benign neglect (or worse) that they occasionally receive.

Many of us fear a diagnosis of dementia. We worry about “surrendering our core” or “losing our true self” to the disease. Many of us wonder how our loved ones would treat us under such circumstances.

Steven Sabat, writing in The Journal of Clinical Ethics, challenges the reduced expectations for quality care for those with dementia: “Is his or her personhood recognized and supported, or neglected in favor of the assumption that it barely, if at

all, exists? . . . Do we assume that the afflicted rarely if ever recognizes the need for company, for stimulation, for the same sort of treatment he or she would seek and be given as a matter of course in earlier, healthier days?”

Sometimes we may view the situation more from our own vantage point, rather than the patient’s. In a report on care for the elderly, physicians Bernard Lo and Laurie Dornbrand put it this way: “Family members and health professionals sometimes project their own feelings onto the patient. Life situations that would be intolerable to young, healthy people may be acceptable to older, debilitated patients.”

Sabat notes how this raises the prospect of reducing the patient to a kind of object: “The dementia sufferer is not treated as a person; that is, as one who is an autonomous center of life. Instead, he or she is treated in some respects as a lump of dead matter, to be measured, pushed around, manipulated, drained, filled, dumped, etc.”

The medical profession in particular faces a unique responsibility toward each individual with dementia, a duty to approach each life, especially in its most fragile (and uncooperative) moments, with compassion, patience and attention. When our ability to think rationally or choose freely becomes clouded or even eliminated by dementia, we still remain at root the kind of creature who is rational and free,

and the bearer of inalienable human dignity. We never change from one kind of being into another. Parents who have children born with a serious birth defect or behavioral problem would never suggest that their defect or impediment transforms them into another kind of being, into an animal or a pet. It never renders them “subhuman,” even though their behaviors, like those of advanced dementia patients, may at times be frustrating and very hard to bear. As Cecilia reminded me on the plane, “There’s always someone in there.”

Pope John Paul II in a beautiful passage from “Evangelium Vitae” (“The Gospel of Life”) speaks of “the God of life, who has created every individual as a ‘wonder.’” We are called to foster an outlook that “does not give in to discouragement when confronted by those who are sick, suffering, outcast or at death’s door.”

Those suffering from dementia challenge us in a particular way toward the beautiful, and at times heroic, response of love, “perceiving in the face of every person a call to encounter, dialogue and solidarity.”

Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did postdoctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Mass., and serves as the director of education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • October 15, 2010

Serving Sisters

Sister Daisy Vega, SM (foreground, center), kisses Archbishop Naumann’s ring at the Sisters, Servants of Mary “Serving From the Heart” gala on Oct. 2 at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park. Sister Guadalupe Buenrostro (left) and Sister Daisy Castruit look on. The gala raised close to $200,000 to benefit the Sisters, who provide care to the dying at no charge.

Mass of Innocents

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann watches as participants in the Mass of Innocents sign the names of loved ones into the Book of Innocents on Sept. 12 at Savior Pastoral Center. The Mass was for all who experienced the loss of a child through miscarriage or other before-birth losses, stillbirth, or in early childhood death.

Native American Mass

Around the archdiocese Photos by Elaina Cochran

Archbishop Naumann joined the students at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence on Oct. 3 to celebrate Mass at the Haskell Catholic Campus Center. The center was established in 1986 to serve Catholic Native Americans attending the university.